Wes Muller

Wes Muller

[email protected]

Wes Muller has been with the Louisiana Illuminator since its founding and covers politics, energy, economics and environment. He traces his journalism roots back to age 13 when he built a hyper-local news website for his New Orleans neighborhood. Since then, he has freelanced for the Times-Picayune and worked on staff at WAFB/CBS, the Sun Herald and the Enterprise-Journal. He also taught English as an adjunct instructor at Baton Rouge Community College. Wes is a New Orleans native, Jesuit High School alumnus, University of New Orleans alumnus and a U.S. Army veteran and former paratrooper. He lives in Louisiana with his wife and kids.

Louisiana enacts law to let consultants profit off disabled veterans’ benefit claims
Alabama

Louisiana enacts law to let consultants profit off disabled veterans’ benefit claims

Jun 07, 2024
Wes Muller
Louisiana has quietly enacted a law that allows unregulated companies to profit off the benefit claims of disabled American veterans. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry allowed Senate Bill 159 to become law by default by refusing to sign or veto it...
One facet of Louisiana’s public records law is never enforced
Alabama

One facet of Louisiana’s public records law is never enforced

Jun 06, 2024
Wes Muller
Officials in Louisiana will soon be free to disregard state public records law at no risk if Gov. Jeff Landry signs into law a bill that currently sits on his desk. One expert says it will change nothing because courts...
Business lobby opposes proposed changes to Louisiana Quality Jobs incentives
Louisiana

Business lobby opposes proposed changes to Louisiana Quality Jobs incentives

Mar 05, 2022
Wes Muller
The Louisiana Economic Development agency is proposing to change a state incentive that gives companies an annual rebate on a portion of their payroll and sales taxes, and two prominent business groups think it’s a bad idea. The LED’s Quality...
Franklinton legislator proposes law to block porn on college campuses
Louisiana

Franklinton legislator proposes law to block porn on college campuses

Mar 03, 2022
Wes Muller
A Louisiana state senator is proposing a new law that would prohibit students from accessing pornography or sexually explicit content on their personal phones or computers while connected to a university’s wifi network or internet service provider. Senate Bill 131...
When will Gov. John Bel Edwards veto redistricting maps?
Louisiana

When will Gov. John Bel Edwards veto redistricting maps?

Feb 28, 2022
Wes Muller
Gov. John Bel Edwards has until March 14 to veto redistricting maps the Legislature approved last week, but waiting until the last minute could give lawmakers the convenience of attempting an override during their regular session, which also begins March...
Entergy customers to pay $3.2 billion for storm repairs over 15 years
Louisiana

Entergy customers to pay $3.2 billion for storm repairs over 15 years

Feb 23, 2022
Wes Muller
METAIRIE — Louisiana utility regulators voted Wednesday to allow Entergy to bill its customers $3.2 billion for repairs after five storms in 2020 and 2021. The Public Service Commission approved the storm tariff amid criticism that Entergy paid its shareholders...
Survey finds toxic workplace culture at Louisiana housing agency
Louisiana

Survey finds toxic workplace culture at Louisiana housing agency

Feb 22, 2022
Wes Muller
Bullying, favoritism, unfair pay and lack of accountability have been rampant within the workplace of the Louisiana Housing Corporation, where allegations of sexual harassment have been leveled against the agency’s previous two executive directors. These were among the findings of...
GOP keeps grip on Louisiana with status quo redistricting maps
Louisiana

GOP keeps grip on Louisiana with status quo redistricting maps

Feb 18, 2022
Wes Muller Julie O'Donoghue JC Canicosa
The White Republican majority in the Louisiana Legislature exerted its influence on political redistricting with maps that maintain their control across a state that has grown increasingly diverse. Lawmakers concluded a special session Friday with the approval of new lines...
Louisiana lawmakers dazed and confused over medical marijuana research
Louisiana

Louisiana lawmakers dazed and confused over medical marijuana research

Feb 17, 2022
Wes Muller
Confused over how medical marijuana is funded at Louisiana universities that grow the plant, lawmakers grilled administrators Wednesday because they mistakenly believed the state was paying millions for research that private sector investors actually finance. Committee Chairman Rep. Larry Bagley...
Republicans hold sway as Louisiana Legislature nears end of redistricting session
Louisiana

Republicans hold sway as Louisiana Legislature nears end of redistricting session

Feb 16, 2022
Greg LaRose Wes Muller
Republican leaders in the Louisiana Legislature are optimistic their special redistricting session will end before the weekend as GOP-backed maps continue to advance from both chambers. All keep the current level of minority representation in place, making lawsuits likely from...
GOP lawmakers thwart proposal for 42% Black congressional district
Louisiana

Louisiana GOP lawmakers thwart proposal for 42% Black congressional district

Feb 15, 2022
Wes Muller
With Republican lawmakers blocking every attempt to add a second majority-minority Louisiana congressional district, a Democrat offered a compromise Monday. Rep. Marcus Bryant, D-New Iberia, wanted to add more Black residents while maintaining a white majority in one of the...
Louisiana House approves Congress map with 1 majority Black district
Louisiana

Louisiana House approves Congress map with 1 majority Black district

Feb 10, 2022
Wes Muller
Lawmakers in the Louisiana House of Representatives approved a congressional redistricting bill Thursday that maintains the status quo of one majority-Black district and five White districts in the U.S. House. Census numbers show Black residents comprise one-third of the state’s...